JCF backs cops heading to court to prevent arrest

The Police High Command is backing 15 members of the force who have rushed to the Supreme Court for judicial review of a decision by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) to arrest them.

"The High Command has no choice but to allow members to exercise their rights under the law and await the legal guidance and directive of the Supreme Court.

"The High Command respects the rights of every citizen to include members of the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) and will await the guidance and directive of the court," said the leadership of the force in a release, as it noted that the cops are awaiting the hearing which is set for November.

According to the High Command, it was served notice by INDECOM that 19 members of the force are to be arrested. Fifteen of the cops have already been notified, while the remaining four are still being processed.

The High Command said despite the decision by INDECOM to charge the 19 cops, there is no truth to reports of a rift between the two bodies.

Uneasy relationship

The police and INDECOM have had an uneasy relationship for years despite repeated claims from the leadership of the two entities that all is well.

Last week, news surfaced that the attorney general had called a meeting of the entities in an effort to quell what was described as "rising tension", but the Police High Command says there is no truth to that report.

According to the leadership of the force, while there is a scheduled meeting with the attorney general, it has absolutely nothing to do with the case involving the 15 cops.

So far there has been no public comments from the leadership of INDECOM on the matter.